Time FLIES....

Wow! I don't know about everyone else, but January and February have been busy months here at the Ranch. We all have busy with school, exams, Story night, Ranch Art Show, visiting groups, rainy weather, and counting our blessings that everyone has been really healthy this year. This past week I finished teaching our 3rd quarter of school and tested all of my students on what they have learned. I am actually excited to grade some of the exams because it gives me some assurance and proof that all of my students are working harder and paying better attention in class. My class of 10 students (4 girls - 6 boys) are all teenagers and like being silly in class, well to help them with distracting one another our school principal hung a curtain in the middle of my class to separate the boys and girls so that their eyes are directed to the front of the class and not each other. It is working! I see improvements in their own personal behavior and class is running smoother. This curtain example in my class has also brought to mind some of my own personal distractions that I have felt convicted by this year. I bet everyone has seen a horse with the blinders on their eyes to keep them focused on the road ahead, well sometimes I need to put some blinders on to focus more the task at hand and not get weighed down on all the things that I have not yet completed. Living for what is here and now...and what making sure I am I have the most important things first. (Priorities) My time thus far has been precious with each day I wake up to run and gaze across the green valley of vineyards. It is a beautiful sight to see. We are so removed from everything and I am enjoying the fact that I get to climb with the kids, share with them Bible stories, imagine with them as they draw, and listen to them when they tell me a funny story. It is the little things that make me smile, and it is the little things that we all do to show our love to these kids....each day each moment. Time sure does fly by, and as it does I am reminded to stop myself and listen before I dive into something new. One step, one moment, one day at a time.